Q: In the past, you have described Pachysandra as an aggressive, invasive plant; yet plant catalogs that I've read do not describe it as "aggressive" and I can't get it established in my yard! My bed turns an ugly yellow and has brown patches and spots on its leaves. If it is truly "aggressive," then why am I having trouble with it? And what is the difference between an "aggressive" and an "invasive" plant?

A: Pachysandra Terminalis, also called Japanese Spurge, grows best in filtered shade. It will turn yellow when planted in too much sun. If your plants are in a moist area with poor air circulation, they can suffer outbreaks of a fungal disease known as Volutella Pachysandra.

I describe Pachysandra as aggressive (or assertive if you prefer), simply because the plant can spread fast enough within a garden that it can cause problems in other areas of the landscape where it is not wanted. Basically, a weed with an attitude.

I include Pachysandra and some vines such as Hops, Trumpet Vine and English Ivy in this category because of their obnoxious habit of suckering freely (in the case of vines) or because their extensive underground networks of root-like plant parts called rhizomes (in the case of pachysandra), can become so widespread throughout the yard that it is usually very difficult to eradicate them.

The federal government defines invasive plants as a non-native organism within a particular ecosystem whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic (Russian Olive) or environmental (Walnut trees) harm, or harm to human (Hogweed), animal, or plant health. In plain English, they are species that have been brought in from other regions and spread out of control in their new environment due to differences in climate, the absence of competition, insects and diseases in their new home that would have kept them at bay in their native environment. Thus, a plant that is invasive in the South may not necessarily be invasive in Michigan with our colder climate. For a State of Michigan list of invasive plants, go to www.michigan.gov/invasives.

Other descriptive terms to be aware of are "tolerates a variety of conditions" (will grow anywhere), "vigorous grower" (you cannot control it), and "carefree" (refers more to its attitude than its maintenance requirements).

I'm sorry that you are having trouble getting your Pachysandra established. I'd be more than happy to give you enough plants for your area if you'd be willing to execute a "hold harmless" agreement with me.